Weekend Nurses Get $25 Per Hour Pay CUT at NC Hospital

Mission Hospital, located in Asheville, NC, and owned by HCA Healthcare, has significantly reduced the pay for nurses in its Weekender Program, a decision that is already leading to resignations and staffing challenges. The hospital has slashed the hourly shift differential for these nurses from $40 to $15, a $25-per-hour cut that impacts at least 63 nurses, according to staffing and contract documents.

The affected nurses were recruited in 2023 and 2024, many in response to Mission Hospital’s placement in "immediate jeopardy," the most severe federal sanction for a hospital. Some nurses, who were given until March 7 to sign new contracts, say they were not informed that their pay could be cut so soon after hiring.

Union and Nurse Reactions 

The hospital’s nursing union, Mission Nurses United, has criticized the move, with union representative and registered nurse Molly Zenker stating that management is using the union contract against them. While the collective bargaining agreement does not cover the Weekender Program, it does outline the number of weekend shifts a nurse can be required to work.

"They’re pulling back on incentives to work weekends and trying to justify forcing nurses into shifts they didn’t agree to," Zenker said.

Some nurses who accepted the job based on the original pay structure say they feel misled. Many moved from other states, bought homes, or paid off debt based on an expected hourly wage of around $80 before the differential cut. At least five nurses have already resigned, and more are considering leaving.

Mission’s Justification 

Mission spokesperson Nancy Lindell stated that the hospital is adjusting the weekend differential as needed. She emphasized that the Weekender Program was not included in the union contract and that the pay change aligns with staffing needs.

"Employees who join the Weekender Program commit to working specific weekend shifts and, in return, receive their regular base pay plus an additional $15 per hour, with extra pay for night shifts," Lindell said.

Patient Care Concerns Amid Resignations 

Many nurses believe the pay reduction will worsen staffing shortages and ultimately impact patient care. Some emergency room weekenders hired earlier this year are already planning to leave, potentially leaving the department short of experienced nurses.

One nurse said that on February 13, an ER patient died after calling for help from a bathroom and not being responded to for 12-15 minutes. Nurses cited short staffing as a factor, describing an extremely busy night with a full waiting room and a line at the triage desk.

Following the patient’s death, nurses held a demonstration outside Mission Hospital, demanding safer staffing levels and the reinstatement of the $40 weekend differential.

State Investigation Ongoing 

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is investigating the circumstances surrounding the patient’s death. Meanwhile, Mission Hospital has stated that its internal investigation found training protocols were not followed, leading to the firing of one employee.

As more nurses consider leaving due to the pay cut, concerns remain about the hospital’s ability to maintain safe staffing levels, particularly on weekends. Many worry that without experienced nurses, patient safety will continue to be at risk.

🤔 Nurses, share your thoughts in the discussion forum below.